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139
Cyndi Friberg
Ready for what? Worthy of what? I do not understand.
The light appeared again, surrounding Fiona.
Wait! Desperately she grabbed for Fiona s slender hand. She was leaving! She
couldn t leave until Rowena understood what she must do. Beams of light penetrated
Fiona s form, absorbing her shape. Don t leave. Please don t go.
I have protected your son, Rowena. He is safe within your womb. Fiona s voice
echoed as if from a great distance.
Rowena s hands flew to her stomach. My son? Blood pounded through her brain,
making her dizzy and weak. She sank to her knees, trembling. Was it possible? Did a
tiny life nestle within her body? Her heart soared at the possibility, her joy so acute it
was nearly painful. She would bear a son.
Dominic s son!
The light expanded, suddenly encompassing Rowena. She struggled against it,
frightened of its relentless pull. Stinging heat kissed her skin. Her blood felt like molten
lava surging through her veins.
She screamed.
She was being dragged and sucked into a fiery abyss. Blinded by the light s
intensity and twisting in agony, Rowena struggled. She kicked, she hit, she writhed,
and all to no avail.
Pain consumed her.
The light began to recede, but the sensations escalated until she knew nothing but
agony and darkness.
* * * * *
An audible groan tore from Rowena s dry throat as she struggled to lift her eyelids.
Blinding light greeted her with a merciless welcome, so she quickly closed them again.
Was she dreaming? Her thoughts were muddled and sluggish. She remembered the
light and the pain that followed. Had the pain been part of the light, or was it the other
way around? Perhaps it had all been a dream and she was only now returning to
reality.
Nay, she realized, the pain at least was real. Her muscles felt achy and tight, as if
they d been held in a prolonged cramp. Pounding pressure beat behind her eyes and
deep within her temples. Slowly, she tried to move, but weakness kept her from moving
so much as her hand.
Thora, she called, her voice raspy and hoarse.
Why was her mouth so dry?
She heard heavy footsteps on a wooden floor and then a blissfully familiar male
voice. Oh, thanks be to God!
140
Tears of the Dragon
Rowena braved the light again, desperate for a glimpse of Dominic s face. His
handsome features contorted with relief, and his gaze devoured her face.
Dominic. It hurt to speak.
He rushed to her side and carefully pulled her into his arms. Rowena gasped as the
simple movement shot pain through her shoulder and down her arm. What
happened? My arm&
You were injured, my love. You have been very ill.
She couldn t read the emotions converging in his expression. Were those tears in his
eyes? Nay, that was not possible.
I feel horrible. The simplest movement exhausted her. She hardly had the
strength to raise her head. I need water.
He reached for a cup on the table nearby, lifting it to her lips without releasing her
from his embrace. After quenching her thirst, Rowena relaxed against him and listened
to the comforting beat of his heart.
Four days, he whispered. You ve been unconscious four days.
Rowena tried to focus her mind, but thoughts floated and fluttered just out of reach.
The arrow. Bits and pieces came back to her, terrifying fragments and images that
drained her tiny store of strength.
It was poisoned, as you feared.
Someone tried to kill me. Rowena s voice cracked and tears burned her eyes.
Never had she been this miserable. Her entire body ached, her head pounded
relentlessly, and it had been done intentionally.
He rocked her against his chest, his hold amazingly gentle. You re safe now. No
one will ever hurt you again.
She tried to smile, to find comfort in his assurance, but she didn t have the strength.
Closing her eyes again, she surrendered to oblivion.
* * * * *
Has there been any change? Thora asked softly from the doorway.
Dominic looked up from Rowena s haggard face and nodded. She spoke to me not
long ago. She s very weak, but she was lucid for a moment.
That s wonderful.
She filled her voice with enthusiasm, but Dominic was too drained to respond.
Rowena still looked dreadful. It was too soon to tell if the poison would have any
lasting effects, and hope was just too painful.
He felt dazed, almost numb. For four days he d watched her writhe in fevered
delirium, not knowing from one moment to the next if she d live or die.
I ve never been so frightened in my life.
141
Cyndi Friberg
He found it hard to believe the crisis had actually passed. He couldn t move himself
from her side, afraid that he might yet lose her to death.
I despise being helpless.
Thora sat at the foot of the bed and smiled at him. You look nearly as bad as she
does.
My thanks, gracious damsel. I didn t stand this vigil alone. Neither you nor Farrell
have been far from this room.
If she awakened, the crisis is past. You will need your strength to help her
complete her recovery.
And to tell her what I have done? He took Rowena s hand and brushed his lips
across her fingers, needing to touch her, to reassure himself that she was still here.
Some things can wait until she s stronger. All she need know is that you love her
and will be here to protect her.
As I protected her four days ago?
Do not. Thora shook her head, her tone insistent. We cannot give in to guilt, nor
can we entertain regrets. She is alive because of you. The people of Pendragon are safe.
She is recovering, and that is all that matters.
He wanted to believe it, but Dominic was not a fool. He was thrilled that Rowena
would regain her health, but his greatest challenge was yet to come.
* * * * *
After enduring twelve days confined to her bedchamber, Rowena happily lifted her
face to the sky. She took in a long, deep breath, fragrant with autumn leaves and the
promise of evening showers. Holding it within her lungs, she savored the cool
freshness. A gentle, chilly breeze teased her cheeks, but she cuddled within the comfort
of her fur-lined cloak.
Color has returned to your cheeks, Dominic said. You look beautiful.
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